To the left of the image, a White woman with blonde hair poses looking into the camera while her armpit and groin are exposed, showing scars from her hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) flares. To her right reads a headline: "HS TRUTH: A complex condition needs an approach that addresses its many drivers." Below the headline is a tag with the patient's name which reads "Ashley, real HS patient".
To the left of the image, a White woman with blonde hair poses looking into the camera while her armpit and groin are exposed, showing scars from her hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) flares. To her right reads a headline: "HS TRUTH: A complex condition needs an approach that addresses its many drivers." Below the headline is a tag with the patient's name which reads "Ashley, real HS patient".
Ashley, real HS patient.

HS DIAGNOSIS WAS FOUND TO TAKE

~7 to 10 years

FAR LONGER THAN PSORIASIS (~1.6 years)

leading to poorer outcomes for HS patients1–3

Icon of a purple and green calendar with pages flying off

It took me 7 years to get a diagnosis.

—Ashley

 

For many, HS is more than a skin condition—it’s a daily struggle.

Alongside chronic pain, recurring abscesses, and tissue damage, many patients face serious mental health and social challenges, including3,4:

Icon of a human head with a warning symbol (exclamation point inside a triangle) inside the brain area representing increased risk of depression for those living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Depression and anxiety

Icon of a green alcohol bottle next to a wine glass partially filled, representing increased risk of substance abuse for those living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Substance abuse

Icon of a person sitting with arms crossed and head down, surrounded by lightning bolts above their head, representing increased suicide risk for those living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Increased suicide risk

Icon of two people holding a purple heart, representing impact on sexual health for those living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Impact on sexual health

In addition to its physical and psychological toll, HS continues to present challenges in care. HS is an inflammatory condition—timely management may slow progression and improve patient outcomes. The time to manage HS care is now.5

Icon showing outlines of four people. Three out of the four are filled in with the color green to represent 75%

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY

75% of HS patients

SAID TALKING WITH THEIR DOCTOR ABOUT HS BROUGHT UP A NEGATIVE EMOTION6

That's why, when discussing HS, the questions—and how they are asked—are so important.

Living with HS: Real Stories

Besides impacting quality of life, HS also disrupts daily activities—from clothing choices to intimacy.3

Hear from people living with HS as they share how the disease affects their daily lives—physically and emotionally.

A portrait of a White woman with long brown hair speaking about how hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) impacts her daily life, captured in a candid moment against a white background. There is a green play button layered on top of the image

“And that is something that should be reinforced—just to be a partner in this journey with your patient. And it starts with listening.”

—Dermatologist, Washington, DC

Download the conversation guide

HS, hidradenitis suppurativa.

REFERENCES: 1. Midgette B, Strunk A, Akilov O, et al. Factors associated with treatment satisfaction in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from the Global VOICE project. Br J Dermatol. 2022;187(6):927-935. doi:10.1111/bjd.21798 2. Saunte DM, Boer J, Stratigos A, et al. Diagnostic delay in hidradenitis suppurativa is a global problem. Br J Dermatol. 2015;173(6):1546-1549. doi:10.1111/bjd.14038 
3. Garg A, Neuren E, Cha D, et al. Evaluating patients’ unmet needs in hidradenitis suppurativa: results from the Global Survey of Impact and Healthcare Needs (VOICE) project. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):366-376. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.1301 4. Krueger JG, Frew J, Jemec GBE, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa: new insights into disease mechanisms and an evolving treatment landscape. Br J Dermatol. 2024;190(2):149-162. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljad345 5. Sabat R, Alavi A, Wolk K, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Lancet. 2025;405(10476):420-438. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02475-9 6. Ingraham N, Hann LR, Williamson JA, Drew C. Communicating with health providers and romantic partners: the impact of negative emotions on quality of life for individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2022;8(3):e049. doi:10.1097/JW9.0000000000000049